The
Harristown State High School English as an Additional Language or Dialect
(EAL/D) Department supports the English language development of students who
have come from language backgrounds other than English. Some are children of business or work migrants,
some have parents studying at university, some are joining family already in
Australia, and some are victims of war and/or political unrest in their home
countries. Many of the students are
permanent residents who are starting a new life in Australia, but some may have
temporary visas, be waiting for visas, or be on bridging visas. All of the students are approved by the
Minister for Education to attend school in Australia.
Students arrive
from:
Primary Schools
Other High Schools
Directly from overseas
EAL/D Organisation
The EAL/D
Department offers students support in the Intensive Language Centre, in EAL/D
mainstream classes, and in the mainstream of the high school. Placement of students depends on:
The program
of the Intensive Language Centre is directed at equipping students with the
English language that they need to operate in the community, and the language
and concepts that they need in order to be successful in the mainstream of the
high school. English is the language of
instruction, but some bilingual support is available in Arabic, Dari, Swahili
and Persian.
In EAL/D
Mainstream Classes students continue to receive intensive English support in
the Core Subjects of English, Maths, Science and the Humanities. At the same time, they are gradually
integrated into other mainstream classes.
When
students move into mainstream high school subjects EAL/D Teachers and Teacher
Aides may continue to provide support.
Additional Programs
and Activities
The EAL/D
Department has developed a close association with Empire Youth Arts. Each term students are offered the
opportunity to work with Ari Palani, the facilitator of the Youth Arts
Program. Ari explores the themes of
friendship, inclusion and transition with the students, promoting
self-expression amongst the group. In
2015, the EAL/D Department in conjunction with The Empire Theatre successfully
applied for the Artist in Residence Program 2015.
Local
musician, Josh Arnold, is a keen supporter of the EAL/D Department at
Harristown State High School. Josh works
with students to create original music from their ideas and stories, involving
them in the process of song writing and performing.
Harmony Week provides an opportunity to
reinforce the importance of inclusiveness at our school and that “everyone
belongs”. The school has a week of
celebrating Australia’s diversity, showing cultural respect for everyone who
calls Australia home.
Regular lunch
time activities for students include Bollywood Dance and African Drumming.